Tour the Xenopoulos Museum on Zakynthos
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The Greek island of Zakynthos is known for its beautiful crystalline waters and greenery. The natural beauty of the island will take your breath away. Zakynthos is also rich in history that must be explored. One of the sites that should be added to your list is the Xenopoulos Museum.
Here’s what you should know about the Xenopoulos Museum on Zakynthos.
About the Xenopoulos Museum
Founded in 1998, the Xenopoulos Museum is housed in a two-storey ancestral home on Gaita Street in the Faneromeni district of Zakynthos. The museum is dedicated to the Greek playwright Gregorios Xenopoulos who spent in childhood in the house. The Xenopoulos Museum is close to the Church of Agios Dionysios.
The Xenopoulos Museum showcases manuscripts, novels, leaflets, brochures, magazines, and photos relating to Gregorios Xenopoulos. The playwright was born in Constantinople in 1867. The family moved to Zakynthos, where his father was from, when Xenopoulos was very young. He lived there until 1883 and attended the University of Athens, but didn’t stay long.
Xenopoulos would move on to become a playwright and poet, where his passion for literature led him. Many of the novels, short stories, and articles appeared in magazines, which can be viewed in person at the museum. In 1896, Gregorios Xenopoulos published a magazine with short stories for children entitled Diaplasis ton Paidon. In 1927, he started another magazine called Nea Estia, which he would be the director of until 1934. He also worked at various Greek newspapers. Xenopoulos was married two times and had three daughters. He died in 1951.
Tour the Xenopoulos Museum on Zakynthos
In addition to the novels, short stories, and articles that you can view at the Xenopoulos Museum, you can also see some of his personal belongings and period furniture of the Xenopoulos family. The furniture and items from the house are found on the upper floor of the museum.
You can also visit the nearby Church of Agios Dionysios. This impressive church features Greek Orthodox art and frescoes. The Church of Agios Dionysios is the patron saint of the island of Zakynthos. The church is the largest on the island of Zakynthos. Agios Dionysios was born to wealthy parents in 1547 in Zakynthos. He learned ancient Greek and Latin as well as Greek and Italian. When he was 20 years old and his parents had both passed away, Agios Dionysios became a monk. He died in 1622 at 75 years old. Three years after his death, his body was exhumed and found to be intact as they still are today displayed in the Church of Agios Dionysios.
Getting around the large island of Zakynthos is best done by car. You can rent a car on the island and explore at your own pace, as far and wide as you wish. To get to the Xenopoulos Museum, you can drive into Zante Town to the Faneromeni District where it is located. If you choose not to drive, taxi and buses are also an option.
Categorized in: About Zakynthos, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
